Meet The Founder:

 Shannon Szymanski

My name is Shannon Szymanski, and I am an adult living with Cerebral Palsy as well as the founder of Life through CP.

Following my graduation from high school in 2013, I explored various programs, including Rising Stars and Macomb Academy. Unfortunately, accessibility challenges regarding restroom facilities prevented my participation in either program. Consequently, I enrolled in a program at my former high school called Post Secondary. In this setting, I participated in Community-Based Instruction (CBI), an evidence-based approach that integrates students with disabilities into real-world environments to develop essential independent living skills. This experience imparted crucial lessons about community navigation, confidence-building, and workplace readiness, providing an invaluable foundation for my adult life.

At that time, I believed that pursuing post-secondary education was the optimal decision. However, upon reflection, I recognize that there may have been more suitable alternatives to achieve my long-term objectives. It was during my transition out of school in 2020 that I discovered my genuine passion for disability advocacy. I began collaborating with various nonprofits, focusing on social media marketing, where I could leverage my unique voice and lived experiences to promote change and educate others.

A particularly significant chapter in my journey has been my role as a client and ambassador of the Danny Miracle Angel Network (DMAN) Foundation. DMAN has offered me far more than resources; it has provided community, opportunity, and remarkable experiences. Through DMAN, I have discovered purpose, cultivated friendships, and gained a platform to inspire others to recognize their full potential, as we are all defined by more than our diagnoses.

In my personal time, when I am not engaged in advocacy or managing chronic illness, I often indulge in binge-watching Disney+ (with "Bambi" being my all-time favorite) and enjoying Oreo cookies.